The four teams for the new playoff will be selected by a playoff committee, and strength of schedule will be part of the equation.

So how does this affect you, the fan? If Ohio State, one of the top three largest, successful programs in college football, begins to strengthen its nonconference schedule, others could—and likely will—follow.

“We're changing our philosophy because we're obviously going to move into a playoff structure that I don't think all of us really understand yet, how the committee's going to work," Smith told The Associated Press.

"Many of us are assuming it's going to work similar to the (NCAA tournament) basketball committee, so your nonconference schedule will come into consideration as they evaluate whether or not you're going to be one of those final four teams."

Ohio State already schedules one nonconference game a year against a major BCS team. This season, the Buckeyes played host to Cal, and have future games against Oklahoma, Virginia Tech and North Carolina. The Buckeyes are scheduled to play MAC members Buffalo in 2013, Kent State in 2014, Northern Illinois in 2015 and Bowling Green in 2016 — all at Ohio Stadium.

Ohio State has been playing games against the MAC for decades, and at times has played two in one season (Akron and Toledo last year). MAC teams beat four BCS teams last week.